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Even the deftest DVR-ing was no match for the “negative ad peddlers,” as Barack Obama likes to call them, aired by all sides during this election cycle. Thankfully, for ad-makers as much as ad-watchers, the cranking will soon cease.

That’s a message we can all approve.

With the end in sight, we review the duds and diamond studs of an election cycle that cranked 'em out like never before. Though we’ve not included it here, Obama’s “American Stories, American Solutions” half-hour primetime special is the uncontested winner in the campaign infomercial category.

OBAMA - BEST

1. “Plan for Change”

How could you possibly fear this guy? McCain ad-man Fred Davis has nothing but the highest praise for this two-minute spot with just Obama and the camera, calling it “simple, elegant, [and] believable.”

2. “Seven”

This ad made certain that if voters remembered any of the oft-repeated numbers from the 2008 race, they’d remember that John McCain has seven houses. (He actually has eight, but who’s counting?)

3. “90 Percent”

If there was any other number-based attack line that has broken through the echo chamber, it is that McCain voted with President Bush over 90 percent of the time. This ad helped hammer that home and made exceptional use of McCain’s third-debate simpers and smirks.

4. “New Subject”

A simple, effective pushback to the Bill Ayers-based attack ads tuned to some background music that makes you just want to run out of the house and vote.

5. “Don’t know much”

Set to the tune of Sam Cooke’s “Wonderful World” song, the ditty in this ad is just hokey enough to break through the clutter.

MCCAIN - BEST

1. “Celeb”

The most memorable ad of the election and a viral Internet phenomenon.

2. “624787”

If Oscars were handed out for campaign ads (ugh, banish the thought), McCain’s first general election spot should take best picture, best editing, best performance in a dramatic role and best score.

3. “The One”

So sarcastic and derisive that it gets away with being sarcastic and derisive.

4. “Compare”

McCain’s closing argument in its clearest distillation.

5. “McCain is right”

Who better to vouch for the wisdom of your positions than your opponent?

OBAMA - WORST

1. “Dos Caras”

Fact-checkers and journalists jumped all over this ad, which was flagrantly misleading to the point of being totally “ridículo.”

2. “Still”

When your vice presidential candidate repudiates your own ad message, either he’s totally off message or the message is totally off. In this case, it’s probably the latter.

3. “Embrace”

The Obama campaign was too slow to the draw on the celebrity-bashing game, a first-come, first-serve kind of affair.

4. “Never”

Ralph Reed may have been serviceable low-hanging fruit for Dems a few years ago, but by now he’s fallen off the tree and shriveled into “Who cares?” status.

Readers' Comments (20)

BILL CLINTON SAID, AGAIN, TODAY THAT OBAMA PHONED HIM SOME 60 DAYS AGO AND ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IGNORANT OF AND CONFUSED ABOUT OUR ECONOMY AND ASKED CLINTON TO TEACH HIM. --- (That was apparently why the two had a much reported lunch meeting in Harlem.)--- NOW Only 60 Days After Obama's Confession to Bill Clinton About His IGNORANCE & CONFUSION of ECONOMIC ISSUES ... OBAMA NOW CLAIMS TO BE ABLE TO SAVE THE WORLD ECONOMY! --- (What a freakin' joke.) --- OBAMA is a FARCE ...a FAIRY TALE ... a FRAUD ... and HE CANNOT BE TRUSTED !

Measured against the best and worst shown here, Mr. Obama's thirty minute product shows itself to have been a masterful break with the idea of what political advertisement can look like. It is the rare candidate who can produce content of high enough quality as to hold itself up as did that piece. The half hour spot should be included here as the best of all.

Measured against the best and worst shown here, Mr. Obama's thirty minute product shows itself to have been a masterful break with the idea of what political advertisement can look like. It is the rare candidate who can produce content of high enough quality as to hold itself up as did that piece. The half hour spot should be included here as the best of all.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Obama has run some of the worst ads in politics, starting with your SNOOZER #1 choice! If you can't repeat a soundbyte, the ad failed. That Barack Obama - what a loser!!! This is the first time in my life that I am not voting Democrat. And frankly, it makes me sick. Obama has bad ideas and no experience, and all of his choices have been as bad as his pathetic campaign. He has never put the country first. Otherwise, he would have respected the popular vote of the Democratic Party , Hillary would be his running mate, and this thing would be a slam dunk. LET ME ASK YOU THIS... Would you let a kid straight out of college, who had never even given a medical exam, perform open heart surgery on you or anyone you love? How about if the kid were really charismatic and popular and hip? Would you let him operate on you then? No? Well, how about if he were black? Surely that is the magic recipe for making up for absolutely no experience, right? Hmmm... not convinced? Well then why would you vote for a man who has accomplished nothing in his entire career, except name calling, blame throwing and blowing his own horn? Our country cannot afford to falter while this guy learns. Of course, he has NEVER done anything but campaign all his life. What is he going to do when he finally has to go to work??? I don't want to find out the hard way. There is too much at stake. I cannot stand the social positions of the McCain/Palin ticket, but sadly, thanks to a very poor choice made by the DNC, we have no better choice to lead our Country in this time of crisis. Barack Obama has been the most divisive candidate I have ever seen. He has divided the Democratic Party, and caused millions to cross party lines this election. He has caused racial tensions, sexist tensions, and now he is fueling a class war. How on Earth does this guy have the gall to call himself the candidate to bring people together? What a joke! Are that many people really buying his drivel? The guy is as bad as Bush! Except he can articulate. Wake up! America cannot be this gullible. Just because the man is an insufferable windbag, doesn't make him smart or capable. In fact, he has proven he is neither.

Checks on 'Joe' more extensive than first acknowledged Tax, welfare info also sought on McCain ally Wednesday, October 29, 2008 8:05 PM By Randy Ludlow Joe Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber," signs autographs at a rally with GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Amy Sancetta | AP Joe Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber," signs autographs at a rally with GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Document * Read the letter from Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, about background checks made on Joe the Plumber [pdf] A state agency has revealed that its checks of computer systems for potential information on "Joe the Plumber" were more extensive than it first acknowledged. Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, disclosed today that computer inquiries on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were not restricted to a child-support system. The agency also checked Wurzelbacher in its computer systems to determine whether he was receiving welfare assistance or owed unemployment compensation taxes, she wrote. Jones-Kelley made the revelations in a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, who demanded answers on why state officials checked out Wurzelbacher. Harris called the multiple records checks "questionable" and said he awaits more answers. "It's kind of like Big Brother is looking in your pocket," he said. If state employees run checks on every person listed in newspaper stories as buying a business, "it must take a lot of people a lot of time to run these checks," he said. "Where do you draw the line?" The checks were run after the news media reported that Wurzelbacher was considering buying a plumbing business with more than $250,000 in annual income, Jones-Kelley wrote. "Given our understanding that Mr. Wurzelbacher had publicly indicated that he had the means to purchase a substantial business enterprise, ODJFS, consistent with past departmental practice, checked confidential databases ," she wrote. "Not surprisingly, when a person behind in child support payments or receiving public assistance is receiving significant media attention which suggests that the person appears to have available financial resources, the Department risks justifiable criticism if it fails to take note and respond," Jones-Kelley wrote. The results of the searches were not publicly released and remain confidential, she wrote. Wurzelbacher has said he is not involved in a child-support case and has not purchased any business. Jones-Kelley wrote that the checks were "well-meaning," but misinterpreted amid the heated final weeks of a presidential election. Wurzelbacher became a household name when Republican presidential hopeful John McCain frequently referred to "Joe the Plumber" during his Oct. 15 debate with Democrat nominee Barack Obama. The checks began the next day. Wurzelbacher, who has endorsed and campaigned for McCain, had been caught on videotape challenging Obama about his tax proposals during a campaign visit to "Joe's" neighborhood in the Toledo suburb of Holland. Republicans have painted the checks on Wurzelbacher as a politically motivated bid by Democrats to dig up dirt and discredit the McCain ally. The Obama campaign has said it has no ties to the checks and supports investigations. The administration of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has said the information was not improperly shared and that there were no political motives behind the checks. The Dispatch has uncovered four uses of state computer systems to access personal information on Wurzelbacher, including the child-support check authorized by Jones-Kelley. She said on Monday that her department frequently runs checks for any unpaid child support obligations "when someone is thrust quickly into the public spotlight." Republican legislators have challenged Jones-Kelley's reason for checking on Wurzelbacher as "frightening" and flimsy. Jones-Kelly also has denied any connections between the computer checks on Wurzelbacher and her support for Obama. She donated the maximum $2,500 this year to the Obama campaign. Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles is investigating whether the child-support check on Wurzelbacher was legal. rludlow@dispatch.com

Joe Wurzelbacher, also known as "Joe the Plumber," signs autographs at a rally with GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Document Read the letter from Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, about background checks made on Joe the Plumber [pdf]

A state agency has revealed that its checks of computer systems for potential information on "Joe the Plumber" were more extensive than it first acknowledged.

Helen Jones-Kelley, director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, disclosed today that computer inquiries on Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher were not restricted to a child-support system.

The agency also checked Wurzelbacher in its computer systems to determine whether he was receiving welfare assistance or owed unemployment compensation taxes, she wrote.

Jones-Kelley made the revelations in a letter to Ohio Senate President Bill M. Harris, R-Ashland, who demanded answers on why state officials checked out Wurzelbacher.

Harris called the multiple records checks "questionable" and said he awaits more answers. "It's kind of like Big Brother is looking in your pocket," he said.

If state employees run checks on every person listed in newspaper stories as buying a business, "it must take a lot of people a lot of time to run these checks," he said. "Where do you draw the line?"

The checks were run after the news media reported that Wurzelbacher was considering buying a plumbing business with more than $250,000 in annual income, Jones-Kelley wrote.

"Given our understanding that Mr. Wurzelbacher had publicly indicated that he had the means to purchase a substantial business enterprise, ODJFS, consistent with past departmental practice, checked confidential databases ," she wrote.

"Not surprisingly, when a person behind in child support payments or receiving public assistance is receiving significant media attention which suggests that the person appears to have available financial resources, the Department risks justifiable criticism if it fails to take note and respond," Jones-Kelley wrote.

The results of the searches were not publicly released and remain confidential, she wrote. Wurzelbacher has said he is not involved in a child-support case and has not purchased any business.

Jones-Kelley wrote that the checks were "well-meaning," but misinterpreted amid the heated final weeks of a presidential election.

Wurzelbacher became a household name when Republican presidential hopeful John McCain frequently referred to "Joe the Plumber" during his Oct. 15 debate with Democrat nominee Barack Obama. The checks began the next day.

Wurzelbacher, who has endorsed and campaigned for McCain, had been caught on videotape challenging Obama about his tax proposals during a campaign visit to "Joe's" neighborhood in the Toledo suburb of Holland.

Republicans have painted the checks on Wurzelbacher as a politically motivated bid by Democrats to dig up dirt and discredit the McCain ally. The Obama campaign has said it has no ties to the checks and supports investigations.

The administration of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland has said the information was not improperly shared and that there were no political motives behind the checks.

The Dispatch has uncovered four uses of state computer systems to access personal information on Wurzelbacher, including the child-support check authorized by Jones-Kelley.

She said on Monday that her department frequently runs checks for any unpaid child support obligations "when someone is thrust quickly into the public spotlight."

Republican legislators have challenged Jones-Kelley's reason for checking on Wurzelbacher as "frightening" and flimsy.

Jones-Kelly also has denied any connections between the computer checks on Wurzelbacher and her support for Obama. She donated the maximum $2,500 this year to the Obama campaign.

Ohio Inspector General Thomas P. Charles is investigating whether the child-support check on Wurzelbacher was legal.

YouTube's Top Election Video Is Iraq War Vet's McCain Endorsement The video, titled 'Dear Mr. Obama,' has been viewed more than 11 million times FOXNews.com Thursday, 2008-30-304 3 x in order to recommend a story, you must login or register. 339 Comments | Add Comment Photos An Iraq War vet's video endorsement of John McCain is the most viewed election video on YouTube.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. -- Thousands of dead Floridians are registered to vote and some in Central Florida had ballots cast in their names long after their deaths. "That is scary," said Jim Branch. Branch's mother Marjorie died in 2004 but someone voted for her in 2006. Branch had tried to get his mother removed from the voter rolls.

An Idiot Wrote: WORST: Slick Barry droning on for a half hour, delaying the World Series, buying out the major networks. Big Money Barry can talk about the middle class and family values all he wants. He's really Slick Barry, the abortion/infanticide, gun control, welfare, Fannie Mae-enabling, no experience candidate. Oh yes, he's a great motivational speaker. The only problem with your argument is that it's well, BS. Even FOX debunked the lie that the world series was delayed, and frankly the FOX NETWORK AIRED THE AD, and didn't mind the money they got paid. Regarding the rest of your argument, there isn't one. You can name call all you like, becuase obviously you don't have the brains to make a coherent argument. Now say it with me... PRESIDENT BARRACK OBAMA

BILL CLINTON SAID, AGAIN, TODAY THAT OBAMA PHONED HIM SOME 60 DAYS AGO AND ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IGNORANT OF AND CONFUSED ABOUT OUR ECONOMY AND ASKED CLINTON TO TEACH HIM. --- (That was apparently why the two had a much reported lunch meeting in Harlem.)--- NOW Only 60 Days After Obama's Confession to Bill Clinton About His IGNORANCE & CONFUSION of ECONOMIC ISSUES ... OBAMA NOW CLAIMS TO BE ABLE TO SAVE THE WORLD ECONOMY! --- (What a freakin' joke.) --- OBAMA is a FARCE ...a FAIRY TALE ... a FRAUD ... and HE CANNOT BE TRUSTED !

This is the first time in my life that I am not voting Democrat. And frankly, it makes me sick.

Ya right...and I've got a bridge to sell you in Alaska.

Come one buddy, do you really expect ANYONE to believe your not a Life-long republican pretending to be a democrat?

Do you really think that anyone can't see right through your "republican troll" outfit? I know it's close to halloween, but you really need to try harder. Calling someone "a loser" isn't exactly a great argument. People use those types of words when they can't think of anything coherent to argue in favor for their candidate.

OBAMA IS A GREAT SPEAKER. IT'S TOO BAD HE WON'T ALLOW US TO ASK QUESTIONS. UNDER OBAMA'S PLAN, NO ONE WILL GET A TAX CUT --- THE ONE'S RECEIVING A REBATE ARE THE ONES WHO DON'T WORK AND PAY TAXES! PAY ATTENTION! HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING HE PROMISES. HE'S ONLY GOOD AT PROMOTING HIMSELF. BILL AYERS DEDICATED ONE OF HIS BOOKS TO "SIRHAN SIRHAN" --- THE MAN WHO ASSASSINATED ROBERT KENNEDY! OBAMA AND AYERS HAVE A 17-YEAR RELATIONSHIP. Barack Hussein Obama cannot be trusted. He has lost all credibility. WHICH OF OBAMBI?S 57 STATES IS HE IN TONIGHT? IS HE STANDING WITH THE MUSLIMS (AS HE STATED IN HIS BOOK) --- OR IS HE WITH JEREMIAH WRIGHT, LISTENING TO SPEWS OF "GOD DAMN AMERICA" IN A SO-CALLED CHURCH OF GOD? Is Barack Hussein Obama a wolf in sheep's clothing? Is he a closet Muslim? JOHN McCAIN HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE SERVING OUR COUNTRY. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA WORKED 142 DAYS IN THE SENATE AND SPENT THE REST OF THE TIME RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. And don?t forget his ?world tour? where he campaigned with ?foreigners? and refused to visit our wounded troops. NOT MUCH EXPERIENCE, I'D SAY. --- IF OBAMA WON'T DO HIS SENATE JOB (WHICH HE IS BEING PAID FOR) --- HE CAN'T POSSIBLY HANDLE THE PRESIDENT'S JOB. http://WWW.OBAMACRIMES.COM GET THIS OUT THERE! E-MAIL TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW. FANNIE MAE - FREDDIE MAC - BARACK OBAMA - AND JOHN MCCAIN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... And this one too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STOP THE DRAMA - NO OBAMA! USE YOUR BRAIN - VOTE McCAIN!

To me it is interesting to look at which of these ads embodies non-issue character assassination. In our battleground state, John McCain has flooded the phones with nasty robocalls and his ads have been of the "Obama is an elitist" type, not issue oriented at all. I think that's ineffective. We are hurting. We have many people being laid off in our town alone every day, not to mention the whole state. We want candidates to talk about what they will do to make things better. Until the very last minute, John McCain has not done that. He still sends out nasty DVDs sladering Obama and talking about things that do not do anything to help financially hurting families. That's one reason I'll be voting for Barack Obama.